“Yes, he means it.”
Jamie smiled softly. “Yeah, I can tell he means it, too. I wish you’d told him about me earlier, then he could’ve always been my dad. If he’d been around, maybe I wouldn’t be so scared to be this way.” The accusation in his tone stung.
“Hey, you coming back?” Freedom asked. “Me and Unc are ready.”
“Yeah.” He grinned and hurried to his recliner.
Freedom caught my concerned gaze. “Jamaica?”
I waved him off. “I’m fine. Going to find the kitchen and cook something. I’m assuming you have a fully stocked kitchen.”
“Since today.” He winked and donned his headpiece.
Baby steps. Baby steps.
At least the Band-Aid had been ripped off.
Let’s just hope it doesn’t leave scars.
After a dinner of grilled chicken,rice, broccoli, and strawberry tarts that I prepared, we lounged around the heated pool, listening to Freedom play his guitar and sing. I’d facetimed KJ and Kody before they were in an area with poor cell reception. I saw the worry in Kody’s expression that I was with Freedom in this dream home in Nashville. A part of me feltsorry for him. The other part relished that he finally felt like I did. The self-doubt and mistrust that happens once we break our promises. I could tell he wanted to say more, but KJ was right there. I told them I loved them and would see them tomorrow night.
My eyes were closed, and I loved the breeze that mingled with the heated air. I could sleep to his voice every night. I hadn’t felt this tranquil and calm in a long time.
“You do know this all could be yours,” Peace commented from beside me.
“Shut up, Peace.” I peeked one eye open.
“Just saying. He’s happy, Jamie is happy, and you’re smiling while your eyes are closed.”
“This is like a honeymoon. We won’t always be this happy. Every relationship has its ups and downs.”
“And some have more downs than ups.”
I turned on my side to face him. “You and my best friend, Lori, ought to hang out. Always got to say something about Kody. He’s not always this bad guy. If you weren’t gay, I’d hook the two of you together.”
He sipped from his straw. “Ooh, sounds like I would like her. I like messy bitches. Is she messy?”
“Yep. Definitely having cocktails next week once we get back to Dallas.”
Peace smiled. “I’m so proud of Jamie for telling Freedom. It was a huge step for him to say it aloud in front of his parents.”
I nodded. “I was trying not to break down because it’s always been hard for Jamie to express himself. It helped that Freedom seemed open, and you told Jamie how he supported you.”
“I know I’m not supposed to say anything to you, but I have to. Jamie doesn’t want to disappoint Kody. Told the group that he can tell that Kody disapproves of him and worries about his father loving him.”
I glanced at Freedom, who had given Jamie another guitar and was showing him how to pick at it. They were cozy and content in their own world. I’d never seen Jamie quite that comfortable with Kody. They didn’t seem to gel, though I’d seen both of them try because they loved me.
“It makes sense why he told me that if he’d known Freedom as his father, he might not have been scared to be himself.” I folded my arms and stared at the twinkling sky. “I think Jamie is going to always blame me for not knowing his dad sooner.”
“Maybe. Or maybe not. He just learned about him yesterday. It’s not every day a child finds out his father is a superstar. Look around you, of course, he’s like we could’ve always had this sort of money.”
“That’s the point. I doubt Free, and I would’ve had this if we stayed together.”
“Why do you think the worst of my brother, when all he ever sees in you is the best?”
“I don’t.”
“Yes, you do. Kody was out there bad, just as Freedom, but you married him and from what I know, you’re doing alright for a teen mama.”
